NH State Representative Steven Smith

UPDATE: DRAWDOWN TO BE INITIATED

As previously indicated, Great River Hydro expects to initiate the drawdown of the Bellows Falls Dam impoundment on the Connecticut River beginning Sunday, April 26.  This timing is subject to change if weather in the interim is materially different than current forecasts.

GRH will slowly lower the impoundment, conduct the necessary dam maintenance work, and then gradually refill the impoundment to normal operating levels. The entire process is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 days. We will communicate with you again when the work is completed.

During the drawdown, visitors to Connecticut River will see exposed riparian areas upstream of Bellows Falls dam, most visible closest to the Bellows Falls dam. We are taking every measure to mitigate, to the extent possible, risks and impact to environmental resources in and adjacent to the Connecticut River.

All recreational use of the river is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period as reduced flows may expose previously submerged hazards and dangerous conditions could exist in exposed mud flats. Public safety devices at the dam will be restored as soon as possible. Boat ramps at the following locations be temporarily closed until that work is completed: Herricks Cove (Rockingham, VT), Charlestown (Charlestown, NH), and Pine Street (North Walpole, NH). 

We would appreciate your assistance in sharing this information within your own local networks or community social media outlets.

Further updates will be provided as soon as possible.  Please contact communications@greatriverhydro.com or (802) 291-8104 with any questions.

Best regards,

Brandon Kibbe

Vice President, External Affairs

Great River Hydro

69 Milk Street, Suite 308

Westborough, MA  01581

www.greatriverhydro.com

Paving and Guardrail Replacement in Westmoreland-Walpole/Charlestown-Claremont

Traffic will be impacted through November.   

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will begin guardrail replacement and paving operations on NH Route 12 in the towns of Westmoreland and Walpole, and NH Route 11 & 12 in the towns of Charlestown and Claremont on Monday, April 8, 2026.  

Weather permitting, work will be done between the hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This pavement preservation project will pave approximately 19.1 miles of roadway and replace 45,000 Linear Feet (LF) of guardrail.  

Message boards, flaggers, uniformed officers, and traffic control devices will be used as needed to direct the travelling public. Road Users should remain alert while traveling through the construction zone and obey all posted signs through the work zone.  A 10-mph speed reduction during construction will also be implemented for road users’ safety.  

Road users are also encouraged to sign up for free, real-time construction and traffic related messages (text or email) from https://newengland511.org/ 

For more details about NHDOT paving projects please visit this web page: NHDOT Resurfacing Program | Department of Transportation.  

Pike Industries, Inc.of Belmont, NH is the contractor for the $9,625,850.90 project that has a completion date of September 2027.  

NHDOT Contacts:   

Stephen Lowe, Contract Administrator, (603) 271.2571  

Jennifer Lane, Chief Communications Officer, (603) 271-6495  

NH Department of Transportation  

P.O. Box 483 | 7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302-0483